HOLLAND (WHTC-AM/FM) — WOOD-TV is reporting that a state lawmaker from Allegan County is calling for the firing of the county’s top health officer.
Michigan State Rep. Steve Johnson is mad about a county health letter reminding parents their children must quarantined if they have close contact with someone who has COVID-19 — and that children could be removed from the home under certain circumstances. Johnson posted a photo of the letter to his Facebook page, calling Allegan County Health Officer Angelique Joynes “reckless and tyrannical” and appealing to county commissioners to fire her.
Joynes told WOOD TV health officials can’t remove children from the home, only petition the court to do so. The letter sent to parents states that such actions would only be taken if there was immediate and significant risk to the public.
According to WOOD-TV’s report, “during the 2020-2021 school year, 3,671 school-age children were quarantined for a known COVID-19 exposure.” Their families received the standard letter and no children were removed from the home. Joynes told WOOD-TV she would be working the county’s attorney to update the letter and clarify the language.
